Bill Text: HI SB2758 | 2020 | Regular Session | Introduced

Hawaii Senate Bill 2758 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Relating To Biosecurity.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 8-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-02-14 - Report adopted; Passed Second Reading and referred to WAM. [SB2758 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2020-SB2758-Introduced.html

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2758
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to biosecurity.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the Hawaii interagency biosecurity plan is the primary guiding document for improving the prevention, detection, and control of invasive species in the State. A key objective of the plan is to enhance the capabilities of the department of land and natural resources, division of forestry and wildlife, to detect and control invasive species in the State's most valuable protected areas, including forest reserves, wildlife sanctuaries, and natural area reserves. The section of the plan entitled "Postborder Technology, Infrastructure, and Staffing" describes a goal of adding nine positions each biennium for the next five biennia to meet the estimated staffing needs of the division of forestry and wildlife. The positions called for in section 1.10 of the plan include two positions each for the islands of Kauai, Oahu, Maui, and Hawaii, and one position based on the island of Molokai. Section 1.8 of the report also calls for an additional position based in the administrative office of the division of forestry and wildlife to assist with statewide forest pathology coordination. Collectively, these positions would improve the State's ability to detect and control rapid ohia death and other invasive species in protected sanctuaries and reserves.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to protect the State's resources, agriculture, and health and to execute the Hawaii interagency biosecurity plan by appropriating funds for operating expenses for detecting and removing invasive species in the State's protected areas and for ten full-time equivalent (10.0 FTE) positions in the department of land and natural resources.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $443,483 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2020-2021 for ten full-time equivalent (10.0 FTE) positions within the department of land and natural resources; provided that the positions shall include the following:

(1) Two natural area reserves specialists IV (SR-22) on the island of Kauai;

(2) Two forestry and wildlife technicians IV (SR-13) on the island of Maui;

(3) Two forestry and wildlife technicians IV (SR-13) on the island of Hawaii;

(4) One forestry and wildlife worker II (BC-05) on the island of Maui;

(5) One forestry and wildlife worker II (BC-05) on the island of Oahu;

(6) One forester V (SR-24) in the administrative office of the division of forestry and wildlife on the island of Oahu; and

(7) One forester III (SR-20) on the island of Oahu.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of land and natural resources for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $172,369 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2020-2021 for vehicles, fuel, or other operating expenses necessary to remove invasive species from the State's protected areas, as called for in the Hawaii interagency biosecurity plan.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of land and natural resources for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2020.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

DLNR; Hawaii Interagency Biosecurity Plan; Invasive Species Detection and Control; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates funds for operating expenses and for 10 full-time equivalent (10.0 FTE) positions in the Department of Land and Natural Resources, as called for by the Hawaii Interagency Biosecurity Plan.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.